Rookie with questions

[Griffin379]

I have purchased a 2000 Magna and figured some things out but the manuals don't seem to cover everything.

Headlights are bad at night. How do you aim? Do you replace them from the outside or inside the front driver bay?

Bay doors lock on DS but not PS. Are they on two separate fuses or solenoids?

Is there an upgrade for the windshield wiper arms?

Current autos aren't tow cars. Any suggestions on ones that fit the coach. I need one so that when something happens I can send the DW on to the Hampton Inn.

[Mr_D]

I have an '09 Magna so I really don't know your rig. I tow a '14 CR-V, lots of Jeeps being towed too.

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Sorry I'm not familiar with your rig ! Keep her between the ditches!

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

[CarlAda]

For your tow car, take a look at Remco and fill in the info with your existing autos to see if any options are available to you. My wife's 2007 Cadillac is listed as not towable, but with the use of a transmission pump we are able to tow it. Some cars just cannot be towed unless on a 4 wheel trailer.

For the wiper arms, I replaced mine on a previous Country Coach through AMEquipment.

If you have TriMark system for your door locks, go to their website and download the pertinent manuals.

I don't drive at night, so have no info regarding headlights, but I've seen many threads regarding replacements...I'm sure someone will have that answer soon.

[deandec]

Toads: I tow one of two Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD cars. They are heavy and get terrible fuel mileage but easy to tow, seat 5 people, and can go off road. Hook up is simple.

Wiper Arms: Mine are still original at 22 years. Parts are available at AM Equipment Windshield Wiper Systems & Durable DC Motors


Cannot help with your locks or headlight questions.

I have replaced my headlight bulbs from behind the fiberglass. Yours may be different.

[Jerry226]

My tow car is a chevy traverse. pull 2 fuses put in neutral and off you go. I have a 97 magna. cruse on 65 and I get 10 mpg pulling the treverse.

[Burfman]

Not sure on your door locks but I tow a Jeep GC. It must be a 4X4 to tow flat down without mods. Simple to hook up and don't know its back there. Fuel mileage is what it is and with the ISC 350 I have enough power to pull the grades.

On the headlights you didn't say what the problem is. Mine are adjustable from the outside via a couple of screws to pivot the lamp. If they are foggy, like mine you can clean them up and its very easy. Mine look like new. The bulbs are reached from the back side reaching up from the bottom of the coach. If you have the dreaded "Bug Shield" then you have a bit more work to get to the outside of the lamps.

Good luck and welcome to this great forum....Tons of advice..

[dtrawets]

for towing, there, as far as i know three ways to tow. i'm new at this as well. one is flat tow with all 4 wheels on the ground. in that case you need to see if your cars can be towed that way. ours can not. another which is what we will be doing is using a karcaddy or dolly. front wheels off the ground. i believe it has to have its own breaking system... and the other is to put it on a car trailer. much more weight to tow that way, but maybe more room for storage. more so if its a box trailer.

[Smitty77]

Welcome to the clan!! Good input on different Toads... We've had great success with our 07 CRV EX-L AWD now with about 65-75K of being towed, and just under 100K miles of driving. 2014 was the last year they could be towed. And yes to the Jeeps... All of them, good toads... (If going with a Grand Cherokee - do read up on the specific 4x4 system that can be towed four down.)

Headlights. Our 04 Allure has Bronco/F150 1988 Headlights in them. And they need a yearly buffing to get as much light out of them as possible. Their are some conversion kits that a company I think out of Utah has made for many RV's, that greatly increases lighting output.

Enjoy your CC, and travel safe,
Smitty

[wfalch]

Checking the owners manual is a good place to go. Also, annual reports are available from various magazines. Checking wth a tow bar company might be helpful.

[phays]

Checked my wire list and there is at least one printed circuit board controller, maybe two, in the front run bay under your drivers seat. Wire numbers are "PL" for passenger side, both 12 gage, one brown the other blue. Wire numbers are "DL" for the driver's side, both 12 gage, one red the other yellow.

Don't know if there are fuses on the PCB or not.

Try calling Butch Williams at Fountain RV in Lakeland, FL. 863.984.9764 He is very knowledgeable on Country Coaches.

[smlranger]

IMO, until coach manufacturers (newer than our CC's) started using HID and/or LED headlights, the standard halogen lights used on most motorhomes were pretty sorry. Also, if you check the voltage at your headlights you will probably find it low due to the small wiring used.

Short of an expensive headlight upgrade, suggest you check this website for a helpful discussion of getting the voltage for your headlights where it should be:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Like many at our age, we usually avoid night driving. However, if you travel much it may not always be avoidable.

[Smitty77]

Originally Posted by smlranger

IMO, until coach manufacturers (newer than our CC's) started using HID and/or LED headlights, the standard halogen lights used on most motorhomes were pretty sorry. Also, if you check the voltage at your headlights you will probably find it low due to the small wiring used.

Short of an expensive headlight upgrade, suggest you check this website for a helpful discussion of getting the voltage for your headlights where it should be:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Like many at our age, we usually avoid night driving. However, if you travel much it may not always be avoidable.

Thanks Glen - Daniel Stern is the company I was thinking of, but I kept looking for 'Dennis' not 'Daniel' - and could not recall the last name... (I've saved this in my files for future reference. But I admit I do my best to be off the roadways at night!)

OP - Daniel Stern lighting has many positive posts from RV owners that have used his products....

Smitty